“Our parents don’t make us come here. We choose to!”
It’s easy to Roost for the Day before registering – be a part of The Roost for one day . . . you’ll be glad you did!
The Roost is an after school gathering space for middle schoolers on the top floor of the Sunnyside Methodist Church building. Camp Fire USA Portland Metro Council provides staff and after school programming from 3:15 – 6 pm Monday through Friday. Friday nights 6 to 9 pm and on Portland Public School holidays and in service days, use of The Roost is facilitated by the Sunnyside Swap Shop Co-op.
What happens at The Roost?
Couches and foosball tables and enough space to just be with friends after school and on Friday nights is the main focus of The Roost. Reconstructed clothing, repurposed raw materials and the recirculating of everything we already have through “swap shopping” as an alternative to buying new is an added benefit of being at The Roost. During Camp Fire after school time, Roost youth control a budget everybody manages together for after school munching and snacking and the Swap Shop turns The Roost kitchen area in to a community restaurant on Friday nights.
The program has been designed by the Sunnyside Swap Shop Co-op and Camp Fire with the input of Sunnyside Environmental School parents and middle school students. Students have after school homework support, arts & crafts, music, clothing exchanges, food, service learning and life skills development opportunities, games, books, gym access every Friday, and time to just relax and hang out.
Where is The Roost?
The Roost overlooks Sunnyside Park from the top floor of the Sunnyside Methodist Church building at the corner of SE 35th and Yamhill one block off the bus lines on Belmont and includes a great room, a kitchen, a small stage and two special activity rooms. The Church is just across from the Sunnyside Evironmental School. The Roost youth program and Camp Fire do not have any religious affiliation with the church. This is not a Christian based program.
Who can participate?
Students attending any public or private school as a 6th, 7th or 8th grader or homeschooled students 11-14 can participate in The Roost. There is space for 30 students on any given day. If more students and families are interested, additional program space and program staff will need to be added before more students are registered.
